Google Meet Microphone Not Working? How to Get Heard

People can see you moving your lips but can't hear a word. Or you're sure you're talking and nobody reacts. Microphone trouble in Google Meet is frustrating, partly because there are so many places the sound can get stuck: Meet itself, your browser, your computer and your headset. Here's how to find out where, and fix it, in the order that solves it fastest.

First: is it your mic or their speakers?

Google has a neat trick for this. Watch the blue indicator at the top right of each person's video tile; it lights up when someone speaks. Google explains that if it doesn't light up on your tile when you talk, the problem is your microphone, or another person's speakers. If it lights up for you but people still can't hear, the issue is on their side.

The quick fixes

1. Check the microphone button at the bottom of Meet isn't crossed out, and click it to unmute.
2. Make sure you're not in Companion mode.
3. Select the right microphone in Meet's settings.
4. Allow microphone access for Meet in your browser.
5. Check your computer's microphone privacy settings.
6. Restart Chrome with chrome://restart and rejoin.

Companion mode: the sneaky one

Companion mode lets you join a meeting on a second screen, for example to share slides from a laptop while you're in a meeting room. Google says that in Companion mode, the microphone and speaker are unavailable. If you joined that way by accident, leave and rejoin the meeting normally.

Pick the right microphone

Laptops, webcams, headsets and monitors can all have their own microphones, and Meet may choose the wrong one. In the meeting, click the three dots, open Settings, then Audio, and choose the microphone you want. Google also warns that if you use a monitor, make sure it isn't selected as your audio device. With wireless headphones, check Bluetooth is on and connected to the right device.

Allow Meet to use your microphone

1. In the meeting, click the View site information icon in the address bar.
2. Turn on Microphone.
3. In Chrome, you can also go to chrome://settings/content/microphone and make sure sites can ask to use your microphone.

Check your computer's settings

Device	Where to look
Windows	Settings, System, Sound, then your microphone; and the privacy settings for microphone access
Mac	System Settings, Privacy & Security, Microphone, then tick your browser
Chromebook	Privacy controls, then microphone access

Even with Meet allowed, your operating system can block the microphone for your browser, which looks identical to a broken mic from inside Meet.

Restart Chrome the right way

Here's the insight that fixes stubborn cases. Google says closing Chrome after an update doesn't reset apps or extensions that use your microphone. Instead, type chrome://restart in the address bar. Chrome restarts and reopens your tabs, then turn your microphone back on and rejoin the call.

Someone muted you?

Google says other participants can mute you, for example to cut background noise, but they can't unmute you. If you've been muted, click the microphone button to unmute yourself. In meetings organised from a personal Google account, Google notes only the host can mute others.

Sharing audio from a video

If people can hear you but not the video you're playing, that's a different problem. Google says you can't share audio from mobile devices, and on a computer you need to present a browser tab rather than your whole screen to share its sound. Use Present now and choose a tab, then play the video in that tab.

Echo, noise and feedback

If people can hear you but complain about echo or background noise, that's a different fix. Echo usually happens when someone's speakers feed back into their microphone, so headphones solve it for everyone. Background noise is best handled by muting when you're not speaking. And if you have two devices in the same meeting in the same room, such as a laptop and a phone, leave one of them on mute or in Companion mode to avoid a howl of feedback.

Test before the meeting

Meet's preview screen, before you click Join now, shows whether your microphone is picking up sound. Speak and watch for the indicator. It's the easiest way to catch a problem before anyone else hears it, or doesn't.

Before your next important call

• Join a minute early and watch the blue indicator while you say hello.
• Use a wired headset if Bluetooth often drops.
• Close other calling apps that might grab the microphone.
• Keep the Meet app on your phone as a backup.

Clear audio matters more than video on most business calls. If you host regular sessions, my webinar promotion swipe file helps you get people there, and this piece on AI notetakers covers what happens to your audio when a bot joins the call.

My verdict

Watch the blue indicator to see whose end the problem's on, then unmute, leave Companion mode, choose the right microphone and check browser and computer permissions. If it's still silent, restart Chrome with chrome://restart rather than just closing it, and rejoin.

Frequently asked questions

Why can't people hear me on Google Meet?

Check you're unmuted, the right microphone is selected, Meet and your browser have permission, and you're not in Companion mode.

How do I know if my mic works in Google Meet?

Watch the blue indicator on your video tile. It lights up when Meet hears you.

Can someone unmute me in Google Meet?

No. Google says others can mute you but can't unmute you.

Why does closing Chrome not fix my Meet microphone?

Google says closing Chrome doesn't reset apps or extensions using the microphone. Use chrome://restart instead.

Why can't people hear the video I'm sharing on Meet?

On a computer, present a browser tab to share its audio. Google says you can't share audio from mobile devices.